Chopper Comeback: Legendary Soviet Mi-17 on Afghan frontline

A legendary Russian military helicopter which has been in service for decades is coming back to the frontline in Afghanistan. The US has bought over a dozen of Mil Mi-17s from Russia for the Afghan security forces.

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• Mil Mi-17
• Mi-8
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[Brad25255]

Soviet tech cheap and reliable

[dekster14LP]

@Brad25255

Tried to find one for sale.

Not cheap :(

[MrFaraz14]

@daltonagre greetings from india my fellow bric member

[daltonagre]

Such as the Ak-47, the mi-17 is ugly, but works and is cheap. I live in Brazil.

[boffinboy100]

@dekster14LP

Well, near all USSR/russian tech is cheaper IN RELATION to NATO/US equipment. Otherwise they're VERY closely priced, yet the Russians seem to get more out of most of their machines for the cost compared to NATO equipment.

Example, Mi 8 series (still workhorse of Russia) is $5-8m (2006), and a UH60 (US workhorse) $21.3m (2012). Though Mi8's older, it is still a very good heli, no need to replace it.

[0HippyHunter0]

What do you think the chance is that they'll end up using that hardware against US interests? 99%, 100%?

[capespring]

@The357python

Apache - Attack

Mi17 - Transport

big difference

[MrBigolnuts]

@09phanton This is funny.....search:

Charlie Wilson's War (8/9) Movie CLIP - Anti-Helicopter Light Missile (2007) HD

[09phanton]

@bronx7542 right with you man. Thats the hard cold truth.

[09phanton]

@MrBigolnuts actually they colled it like that because it was destroying the taliban that's why CIA did the biggest cover opperation giving the taliban the stinger missile to bring it down. And everything to have them as anemies now. funny is it?